We've reached Karangu Camp

We Just got to kanragu camp. Around 13,000 ft. If you saw what We hiked/climbed (picture) today you would have killed us. It seems like every day is a 6-8 hr trek. Amazing views and great people working as a team. It's hard to understand Swahili language though but we're all picking up a few words. Tomorrow we are off to Barafu camp in the morning and get some rest for the reason we came here which is the push to the summit. We leave at midnight tomorrow night and see one spectacular view. Not sure what signal I'll have. I'll complete the blog when we come back down. It usually works when I'm below 13,000 ft. Our bodies is beat yes even Eli. This has been a bit more than we all expect. We will make it because the end goal is getting closer by the hour I hope all is well with everybody's families and friends. It truly been an incredible journey and one that will never be forgotten.

Jombo from 13,000 but soon to be 19,340.

First camp

Made it to first camp. 3,300 meters or 10,800 feet. It was the most grueling and physical climb/activity I have ever made. My guide said its the toughest and the rest is a piece of cake. Getting set up in the my tent now and going to have dinner, then bed. It was too dark to take this picture last night. You can see the goal in the back ground. Still another 4 days away. A morning tea and breakfast and we start out again at 8:30 to Sira point. That will be around 13,000. Short day but important because we continue to acclimate to the altitude. The rainforest was incredible.

Tomorrows the big day

We are ready. Met with the team from the climb company. Everybody who needed equipment got there last remaining items.

Tomorrow we get picked up and head out after breakfast at 8:30a. It takes 2-3 hour drive to get to the Machame Gate. There we check in, sign are permits and start our trek thru the rainforest. It will start out wet, we reach the summit on Thursday night which is 19,340 feet of the largest free standing mountain in the world with temperatures hitting about -20 and a slight wind of 5-10 mph. It should be ok but very cold. Our guide (picture) who's name is Goodlack says we take it polli polli which means slow in Swahili and all will be ok. After that were back on the ground early Saturday.

The journey has definitely begun. Btw, this could be the last entry for a while. I was told that technology will be for texting and not data transfer. I'll try one last update tomorrow before we get to far in the rainforest.

Still in transit

Just got to Nairobi, Kenya. Very friendly people. Still in transit. I will get my first glimpse of Kilimanjaro around 6p local time while traveling on a plane to Kilimanjaro International. I will be high enough to inspect the overall goal. The Top. Getting close.

Arrived into Abu Dhabi

After a long trip of 13 hours on a Boeing 777-ES the final approach into Abu Dhabi was amazing. The engineering and architectural approach to its buildings are incredible. Trying to get some rest in the beautiful Al Raha Beach Hotel overlooking Yas Island.

Will be heading out early back to the airport to connect to Nairobi, Kenya and finally Kilimanjaro. I'll be meeting up with some of the team in Nairobi.

Today is the Day

Today is the Day

Dyan and Tali will be driving me to O'Hare this afternoon to catch my flight. I'll be flying the national airline of the United Arab Emirates called Etihad. Wheels up tonight at 8:30p CDT. I will land in Abu Dhabi at 7:30p Thursday evening Abu Dhabi time which is +9 from CDT. I'll have a 14-hour layover and will be staying at the Al Raha Beach resort which is part of the F1 auto racing circuit. I'll be taking a flight in the morning to Nairobi, Kenya where I'll meet up with a couple of team members. Hang out there for a while and finally connect to a flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Kilimanjaro is +8 hours ahead of CDT it will be 7p local time on Friday evening. Stay tune, more to come.....

I leave this Wednesday for what will be an unbelievable experience - so here is what I'll be expecting of what Kilimanjaro looks like?

I leave this Wednesday for what will be an unbelievable experience - so here is what I'll be expecting of what Kilimanjaro looks like?

The summits of Kilimanjaro

The Kibo summit

Kilimanjaro is not only the highest mountain in Africa, it’s also one of the biggest volcanoes on Earth, covering an area of approximately 388,500 hectares.

Within this 388,500 - hectare area are three peaks..

The Kibo summit is my ultimate Goal

The Kibo summit is the best preserved crater on the mountain; its southern lip is slightly higher than the rest of the rim, and the highest point on this southern lip is known as Uhuru Peak. At 5895m, this is highest point in Africa and the goal of just about every Kilimanjaro trekker. We will hit this point on August 30. Kibo is also the only one of the three summits which is permanently covered in snow, thanks to the large glaciers that cover much of its surface.

Kibo is also the one peak that really does look like a volcanic crater; there are not one but three concentric craters on Kibo.

Within the inner Reusch Crater (1.3km in diameter) one can still see signs of volcanic activity, including fumaroles, the smell of sulphur and a third crater, the Ash Pit, 130m deep by 140m wide.

The outer, Kibo Crater (1.9 by 2.7km), is not a perfect, unbroken ring. There are gaps in the summit where the walls have been breached by lava flows; the most dramatic of these is the Western Breach.

The most important feature of Kibo, however, is that its slopes are gentle. This means, of course, although challenging, trekkers as well as mountaineers are able to reach the summit.

And we will see it very soon...........